Because all existence is founded upon the ever-present state of union, everything already exists in a state of tranquility. However, this state of tranquility is masked from us by our assumption that there is a separation, that there is a problem.
We do not exist for the sake of something else. We exist for the sake of ourselves.
Zazen practice and everyday activity are one thing. We call zazen everyday life, and everyday life zazen.
Even though you have pain in your legs, you can do it. Even though your practice is not good enough, you can do it.
As long as you seek for something, you will get the shadow of reality and not reality itself.
Zazen practice is the direct expression of our true nature. Strictly speaking, for a human being, there is no other practice than this practice; there is no other way of life than this way of life.
There should not be any particular teaching. Teaching is in each moment.
In the zazen posture, your mind and body have, great power to accept things as they are, whether agreeable or disagreeable.
Strictly speaking, there are no enlightened people, there is only enlightened activity.
All descriptions of reality are limited expressions of the world of emptiness. Yet we attach to the descriptions and think they are reality. That is a mistake.
The world is its own magic.
After you have practiced for a while, you will realize that it is not possible to make rapid, extraordinary progress. Even though you try very hard, the progress you make is always little by little.
When something dies is the greatest teaching.
We ourselves cannot put any magic spells on this world. The world is its own magic.
Our practice should be based on the ideal of selflessness. Selflessness is very difficult to understand. If you try to be selfless, that is already a selfish idea. Selflessness will be there when you do not try anything.
Each of us must make our own true way, and when we do, that way will express the universal way.
A tiger does not ignore or slight any small animal. The way he catches a mouse and catches and devours a cow are the same.
The true practice to meditation is to sit as if you where drinking water when you are thursty.
The purpose of our practice is just to be yourself.
To find perfect composure in the midst of change is to find nirvana.